Lessons Learned [CLOSED]
Who: pratservant & buryindecadence
When: 12/9, a week after this
Where: The ruins.
Format: action~
What: Gun safety 101 for Merlin... because he's frankly shocked that he's been here this long and doesn't know what a gun is.
Warnings: None anticipated!
[By the time Merlin likely arrives, Cas has arranged the limited number of firearms he owns -- two, to be exact -- dismantled for ( Read more... )
When: 12/9, a week after this
Where: The ruins.
Format: action~
What: Gun safety 101 for Merlin... because he's frankly shocked that he's been here this long and doesn't know what a gun is.
Warnings: None anticipated!
[By the time Merlin likely arrives, Cas has arranged the limited number of firearms he owns -- two, to be exact -- dismantled for ( Read more... )
[But now he finds himself a little curious, if only because he'd spoken to Cas and found him pleasant, and Cas seemed to think he should know more about them for his own good. And where was the harm in that? Better safe than sorry, Merlin reasons.]
[Merlin pauses, blinks once at the shotgun and a second time at the question. Danger? Animosity?]
Oh. I once saw a Pixie with a tongue that long. She used it to catch flies.
[That was pretty menacing, though more for Gaius than him. Merlin does know that it's not good to have a crossbow pointed at you that way, but they have bolts with sharp, pointy ends. The shotgun just has a hole...which Merlin pokes at idly.]
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This long? ...Seriously?
[Cas glances down at it, considers and mentally explores most of the broad spectrum of potential behind something like that and... quietly backs away from the subject entirely.]
You really have no idea how these work, do you?
Alright. This here? It's called a shotgun... c'mere and I'll show you the others.
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[Just another tidbit of information that Merlin knows about them.]
[So the one as long as a pixie's tongue is a shotgun. He can remember that. Merlin steps forward, resisting his natural urge to touch things and pick them up - be nosy in general. He does realize that these are weapons, even if he's not familiar with them.]
Do you know about swords and other weapons too? Or are there only these where you come from?
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The freakishly long tongue sounds a bit too fetishistic for him, however.]
Haha, hah... yeah, sure. [He wipes at the corner of one eye as he recovers.]
I'm a little more knowledgeable with the short sword than with any other. And guns, a bit.
[The weapon itself is not loaded, so the ex-angel allows Merlin to explore it via more tactile means before offering it up entirely, then pointing to the dismantled others on the table.]
Wanna learn how this thing works or get introduced to the rest of the family?
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What?
[He smiles with the question, even if he hasn't the slightest idea what he's laughing about. He's always thought laughter was a nice sound, and Cas seems to do it easily. There's a quick, subtle glance down, just to make sure his breeches aren't unlaced or anything stupid like that.]
[Merlin turns serious again at the lesson though, nodding to show that he's ready.]
I'd like to learn that one. Can I hold it?
[Merlin's eyebrows shoot up (no pun intended) as he gestures at the shotgun.]
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Going for the boomstick, huh? Here.
[He drops the weapon into Merlin's willing hands with the nagging voice in the back of his head saying that's a bad idea, but it's not loaded and he'd like to think that he's a good judge of character.
Except, you know, when it came to Dean.]
Just so you know, this one is particularly good for medium to close range. It's loud, and packs one hell of a punch.
Rule of thumb with these things? You really don't want the hollow end pointed at you.
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[Though 'boomstick'...Merlin kind of likes that name. It reminds him of thunder and lightening.]
[He looks down at the gun, the wood of the stock in one hand and the metal of the barrel across the other. It does remind him of a crossbow, maybe a little lighter. Merlin gives it a toss in his hands.]
I don't plan on giving anyone a reason to point the hollow end at me.
[He grins at Cas, oblivious.]
Do you put something in the hollow end?
[There must be a reason that it's, well, hollow.]
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Through here? Not with this one, no.
[Putting his hand out, he waits for Merlin to hand it back while he digs around for a salt-filled shotgun shell from his pocket.]
Tell you what, I'll give you a little demonstration.
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I'd rather make a friend over any enemy any day.
[He surrenders the shotgun, watching as Cas pulls the shell out. The only thing he truly notices about it is that there's no sharp end to it. Merlin's eyes flicker back up to Cas's face before he nods to encourage the display.]
What do I need to do? Should I hold something?
[Merlin's used to being somehow involved in target practice.]
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Yeah, I think I what you mean. Unfortunately, life doesn't always work in our favor, am I right?
[The shell disappears into a slot as Cas loads the weapon, then pauses to look at the magician.]
...Hold what? [Cas laughs, thinking Merlin must be joking. Haha, good one.] Right, and put you in harm's way? I'll pass.
[Turning his back to him, Cas takes aim and pulls the trigger -- the end of the weapon erupting in a flash and loud BANG, sending small shards of rock salt slicing through the air.]
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People...choose their own paths.
[Agreement with Cas's words, and Merlin sobers with it, thinks of those who have been lost and those he's gotten a second chance with.]
[Merlin's eyebrows lift when the ex-angel questions him.]
It's just that when Arthur practices, I usually hold something. A shield or a ring or something.
[Though there's something to be said for being out of harm's way too. So Merlin takes a step back, links his arms behind him and just watches. Until Cas pulls the trigger.]
[Merlin jumps like a startled horse, hands lifting to cover his ears just a little too late. The little explosion was violent and loud, and suddenly he gets the boomstick nickname. And he thinks back to something else:]
...I could've lost a finger!
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Cas pumps the shotgun and the spent shell drops out as he grins at the startled, somewhat offended look on Merlin's face.] ...You know, had it been loaded.
Can never be too careful with these things... a gun is only as safe as the person who holds it.
[Lowering the weapon and allowing it to dangle at his side, the ex-angel walks back toward Merlin. Partly to make sure he wasn't startled too badly, and partly because he really wants to back up a step and revisit what the young magician just said.]
So, uh, you wanna go back to the part where you said Arthur actually uses you as a practice dummy?
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[Merlin steps over to where the shell falls, crouches and picks it up, studying it.]
I can understand that. Just like any other weapon or magic, really.
[He stands again, offering the spent shell back to Cas.]
You want this?
[His tone suggests that there's more to that sentence. An unspoken, 'if not, can I have it?']
Oh yeah. Well he spars against the other knights too, of course. But none of them are here. It's mostly just holding the punching bag or a ring for the lance pole. He doesn't make me put on the armor much.
[Merlin smiles, pride shining through it and his next words.]
He doesn't wake up being as good as he is. He puts a lot of hard work into it.
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